Help with Dual CS 505.1

[JoMo]

Hi,

I have a Dual CS 505.1 that intermittently only pays through one channel. I have tried adjusting the various dials ot no avail.

It's an old thing which doesn't seem to have an easily-replaceable cartridge, but even then I'm not sure if it's the cartridge at fault, stylus at fault, or maybe even something else...

I'm not averse to getting busy with a multimeter and soldering iron if required, so I wondered of there's a way I can find out which component is actually causing the issue?

And also, how to best go about getting hold of a compatible cartridge should that be necessary?

I only paid peanuts for the turntable so would like to do this as cheaply as possible... any advice?

Thanks, JoMo

 

[good_enough]

Looks like you need something like this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/196200155651 which has two standard cartridge mounting slots for nuts n bolts to change to whatever cartridge you like. I believe the original was a Grado something or other.

If 'very old' then it may be that your cartridge is indeed knacked somewhere. On the soldering iron front I'd start with the little push-cables connecting cartridge to the plug at the end of the arm and on the multimeter check for zero ohms between those pins there and the RCA output to eliminate a fault in the wiring down the tonearm (the two pairs of pins go to inner and outer of the RCAs). Bear in mind that it could be a connection internal to the cartridge to the externally connected wire. In that case replacement is only option. You should as a matter of routine if 'very old' get a new stylus to avoid damaging your records - you never know where these things have been!

 

[Integralista]

Hi, pls. make some 2-3 photos of your current cartridge and arm in which it is assembled. Dual CS 505 line was solide durable machine with good sound. Cattridges were mainly Ortofons VMS20E MM of course. Looking on the age and frequency of usage, it is possible your cartridge (stylus) is dead. If some of your friends uses similar turntable, you can try to lend a cartridge from him and try it on your Dual. Or the way around. Which phono stage do you use? BR.

 

[Al ears]

You say adjusting various dials, what do you mean by this??
What is it connected to?

 

[abacus]

Waggle the RCA cables at the plug end to see if it comes back on, as they are notorious for failing. (You can also check with a multi-meter) if there old.

Bill

 

[daytona600]

CS 505.1 my 1st Deck
£69 quids new from Laskys and was fitted with a Ortofon Dual TKS 49 cartridge
you could try a new 49 stylus as the cartridge will be 4 decades old now

or remove the cartridge mounting plate & the headshell if you wish to fit a new cartridge
ortofon OM cartridge suits the ULM ultra low mass tonearm or grado prestide 3

40+ years old give the old girl a service
New belt & oil the bearing

 

[nopiano]

The headshell on Dual was fastened with a unique fitting iirc. This might be the weak area, so clean the contacts carefully and retry. Ortofon was the typical prefitted cartridge but without a picture it’s impossible to guess!

 

[Din5]

The Dual CS505 mk1 cartridge should look like this. I would start by cleaning the tiny copper contacts that can just be seen at the rear of the top plate in this photo. These contacts mate with others in the arm headshell when the cartridge is locked in place, by turning the finger lift into the locked position.
To remove the cartridge, loosen and partly remove the tiny grub screw on the top of the headshell on the arm, this will then allow you to turn the finger lift and drop the cartridge plate down to allow you to clean the contacts. I would also check the RCA leads and plugs at the rear of the deck for a constant connection.
Hope this helps, let us know how you get on.

 

[JoMo]

Hello and thankyou everyone for your replies. Lovely to have such support!

@good_enough , the cartridge I have is a little different to the one your link takes me to - annoyingly the headshell is integrated with the tonearm (excuse my terminology if it's a little off). The cartridge and stylus are exactly as pictured in @Din5 's post. @nopiano yes it's definitely not an industry-standard setup!

@Integralista I have attached some photos. By phono stage do you mean pre-amp? If so I am using an integrated Kenwood 5020. I don't believe there is a problem with this.

I have used contact cleaner to clean stuff up as best I can, and @abacus I don't think the phono connectors are at fault (if I prod and poke the cartridge/stylus it can start working for a while), and I have tried with a different turntable and it's ok.

@AI ears, sorry not very clear was I? I mean I fiddled with the anti-skating and counterweight settings

@daytona600 I will service it as suggested but only if it can be fixed so that it plays out of both channels first!

Perhaps I will give cleaning another go, and then try some rudimentary checks with the multimeter...

 

[good_enough]

Hello and thankyou everyone for your replies. Lovely to have such support!

@good_enough , the cartridge I have is a little different to the one your link takes me to - annoyingly the headshell is integrated with the tonearm (excuse my terminology if it's a little off). The cartridge and stylus are exactly as pictured in @Din5 's post. @nopiano yes it's definitely not an industry-standard setup!

Hi yes I know it's different - the idea is that by replacing your headshell with something like that, you can fit any standard two-bolt cartridge as a replacement. You may want to replace the cart anyway - if so you'll need something a bit more 'universal' than the original equipment.

 

[JoMo]

Hi yes I know it's different - the idea is that by replacing your headshell with something like that, you can fit any standard two-bolt cartridge as a replacement. You may want to replace the cart anyway - if so you'll need something a bit more 'universal' than the original equipment.

Maybe I'm being daft but I don't see how that item would ever fit the 505-1 since it doesn't have a threaded part on the tonearm for it to screw into...

The closest I can find for something that would allow me to fit a standard cartridge is this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334156956445 ? But then I would need to buy this, the cartridge and the stylus - (probably about £70 all told) and even then it might not work

 

[good_enough]

Maybe I'm being daft but I don't see how that item would ever fit the 505-1 since it doesn't have a threaded part on the tonearm for it to screw into...

The closest I can find for something that would allow me to fit a standard cartridge is this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334156956445 ? But then I would need to buy this, the cartridge and the stylus - (probably about £70 all told) and even then it might not work

Yeah that's nearer the mark and well researched. It may be possible to test it with your current cartridge I guess - plug it all together, with cart hanging by its leads, tickle the stylus of said cartridge (volume well down) and if you get a puff from the speakers the basic principle is working.

 

[Din5]

These 1/2" headshell adapters were popular back in the day for the CS505, the typical cartridge upgrade was to fit a Nagaoka MP11 (from memory). I still have my Dual CS505 mk1, it's a nicely made deck and still sounds good with it's original Dual clip-fit cartridge.
Keep checking your connections, then if you can't find a fault then maybe your cartridge needs to be changed.